Hyderabad cops allay fears of northeast people, set up helpline

A few people from the northeast had left this Andhra Pradesh capital but there was no exodus, police officials said today, adding that a helpline had been set up to assist those from the region and to allay any fears of any threat.

A few people from the northeast had left this Andhra Pradesh capital but there was no exodus, police officials said Friday, adding that a helpline had been set up to assist those from the region and to allay any fears of any threat.

Amid reports that a large number of people from Assam and other northeast states had returned home in the last couple of days, Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anurag Sharma said there had been no attack on Assamese.

"The reports of mass exodus are not true. Only a few have left because their families have asked them to come back, he said.

Hyderabad and Cyberabad police commissionerates have set up helpline numbers and were trying to instil confidence in the community.

The helpline numbers in Hyderabad are 040-27852333 and 040-23261166; in Cyberabad, the numbers are 9490617100 and 9490617370.

Senior police officials have appealed to people to approach police if they felt threatened. They have also clarified that not a single incident of violence had been reported.

Police in Cyberabad, next to Hyderabad, have deployed forces in Nanakramguda and Gowlidoddi in addition to the pickets already deployed in Siddiqnagar and Anjaiahnagar. Police have also intensified patrolling in the areas where Assamese are believed to be living.

Cyberabad Police Commissioner D. Thirumala Rao said they were taking all steps to allay apprehensions of the people.

Thousands of people from the region are studying and working in Hyderabad. About 40% of security guards in the IT and hospitality sectors are from northeast states.

Cyberabad police on Thursday held a meeting with security guards working in IT companies to reassure them that they need not panic because of rumours.